Work in Progress "WIP" B-25J Mitchell.

Looks great Toshi.  Cool scheme too.  Whats the story behind the writing on the wing?  Obviously dig on the Emperor.  Reference gloss, you'll find that Alclad gloss is by far the best (I've tried them all).  Dries rock hard and smooth.  Depot Train and Hobby on W. 130th and Whistle Stop in Cuyahoga Falls carries the Alclad line (The WS is closed for renos right now though).

Joe  

Toshi, have you gotten to affixing the top turret assembly? I am a little confused about exactly how it goes on. If you look at my build log you will see what I mean.

Thanks!

To BrandonD,

Thank you for the compliments.  I'm just trying to learn what FSM members are utilizing in their technique and I try to implement it from there.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not work.  LOL!

Toshi

Yes sir, the decals took a little more time than most other decals.  As for the Testors silver, it works great!  It goes on smooth with a brush and or airbrush.  Most of the paints I have are Testors, Model Master, or Vallejo.  

Toshi

After I sealed the decals, I had to stop and rest for awhile.  I ended up turning in early for a change.  As for the decals, I used the Testors Decal Set.  

Yes, I saw that the ladder and the step stool were needed to prop the B-25J up, I'll hang mines from the ceiling.

Toshi

Great job, Toshi!

It's been fun to see your modeling skills progress so quickly! I really am impressed with how far you've come. This is really shaping up to be a great build.

-BD-

Toshi,

She's looking fantastic! That decal across the wings must have been a bear to apply. How do you like the Testors silver so far?...Douglas

Wow Toshi you zipped right by me you are now at about the same state of completion as I am and I have had the model for a couple of months!

Your work looks great so far and good job on those huge decals! Did you use micro sol / set? Actually one of the reasons I went with the Jaunty Joe version was to avoid those bedsheets of a decal!

I also noticed you did the same thing as I did and paint before putting the nose 'chin' on. You will probably be okay but I ran outa Valejo paint before I put mine on and the new batch (same color / serial number) did not match!!! Fortunatly I had just enough of the old paint left to go back and touch it up.

Right now I am finishing up the glazing, realized it needed a few more coats of paint. Then I will finish final assembly.

One thing you may not be aware of but that darn little ladder and boarding ladder that goes to the underside (parts 56 & 62) are 'required' as they act as a prop up as the model is a tail sitter. Shame but it is what it is.

yes Toshi, me too on the Tamya paints.  I gotta get them by mail and dang I hate shipping charges.

To Mustang1989,  I wish i would have read your heads up sooner. I just bought 3 bottles of MM clear coats in varous sheens cuz that's what they had at Hobby Lobby.

To Mustang1989,

Thank you for the heads up on that.  That'll be the very last gloss coats I'll be purchasing from Model Master.  Unfortunately, no one near me sells Tamiya paints.  I know that Hobby Lobby has Tamiya glue, putty, primer, and these three piece weathering items that looks like a mascara case that women use in which I purchased one and it is amazing.  Not on my face, of course, Mrs. Toshi said I'm a lost cause!  LOL!  I'm sure Caitlin Jenner can reiterate on that one!  LOL!

I told Mrs. Toshi that I've been to a few hobby shops throughout the greater Cleveland area and had not seen what I have read or learned from forum members on FSM, so from today on, I'll rely on eBay.  I recall in my youth how I would go to the local pharmacy and be inundated with models and model tool supplies, those days of yore are now far gone.  

Thank you for your input and interest in this build, it means a lot to me.

Toshi

Sounds like fun. You'll find that MM Acrylic Gloss Clear is one of  the worst gloss coats on the market. At least from my experience it is. I'm finding that Tamiya Acrylic Gloss Clear is the way to go for a nice smooth and shiny finish for those decals to lay down on.

To Mustang1989,

Thanks, I did not realize the decals were one large piece.  It took a bit of moving it around to get it to lay flat.  Thanks for the read and reply.

To Jay Jay,

Thank you, I did a light coat and a few little touch ups here and there.  Thanks for the read and reply.

Nice work on the cals there Toshi!

WOW mr. Toshi !   That's a fabulous paint job, and nary a seam to see. great work !!!!

Tomorrow, I'll seal the decals with Model Master Acrylic Semi-Gloss #4637.  As you can see, there's several aspects in thus build that still needs attention prior to it's completion.  I'll definately post any progress as such.

Toshi

I airbrushed a Model Master Acrylic Gloss Clear #4638 in order to prep the B-25J for some very interesting decals.  I definately love these decals.  Check it out for yourselves.

Here is what I have done so far for today 6/22/15 Monday.  I've read on several sites in regards to prime and what color to prime with.  The biggest critique I've seen so far was the color black.  Since I had a spray can of Testors Flat Black #1249, I figured; "What the hell, I'll try it out".  As for my little experiment?  I found it to be just as effective as if it were a gray primer.  Here are the results as such.

To Scottrc,

Thank you, I'm just trying to keep up with veteran forum members.

Toshi

To BrandonK,

Thank you for the support as well as read and reply!

To bpanzer322,

Thank you for the warning, it's a great heads up going into the build. Toshi

Great seam work Toshi.

Toshi,

You are doing a great job, again. This is the first kit I built when I came back to modeling and it was full of challenges not to mention filler. You are really doing a wonderful job.

Thanks for the tip, I take a look at that right now.

Hey Toshi,

That's a lot of putty work. I did not do the seam at the tailfin. Might go back and touch it up.

Heads up the fit of the engine / nacelle assembly is almost impossible to glue up with solvent glue. I used epoxy.

I hope (To those fathers) out there, that they enjoyed their "Fathers Day".  I was happy to stay at home and work on the B-25J Mitchell, instead Mrs. Toshi took me out to Michaels and bought me a Monogram 1:48 A-10 Warthog, my first.  After that we went to a Chinese Restaurant called "Hunan of Solon".  It was very relaxing and a great way just to wind down.

Once home, I took my time on the current build and this is how far I've gotten.

In other words it's not advisable to wet sand it like you can conventional putties.

Yup found that out the hard way!

To roger_wilco,

Thank you for the input, it's always great to here from other forum members in regards to technique and building supplies.

Toshi

To UlteriorModem,

Yes, I've been recommended by several forum members to purchase this product, and in due time I most likely will.  Thank you for the heads up!

Toshi

I fully agree with the high quality and ease of use of Perfect Plastic Putty.Being an acrylic putty,the one thing you have to look out for is getting any water on it after sanding.In other words it's not advisable to wet sand it like you can conventional putties. What I do after sanding it is to seal it with a light coat (usually brushed on) of a neutral enamel color such as Testors Flat Grey in the small 1/4 ounce bottle. This helps to seal and protect the putty seams until you're ready to paint.